Check my firmware

[Jomarkh]

My dealer wants £144 to run a software update so I can charge my car is this standard price?

Hi, is a LR?
What milage has it done and is it due a service as it could be done then for free

 

[ADB]

Welcome to the MG EV forums.

Taking your question literally (should your dealer be charging you for a software update to enable you to charge your car) the answer is a resounding NO! What use is an EV that you can't charge??

However, I suspect you may actually be referring to the "problem" of using the Tesla Open Network for charging. Is that correct? If so, this "problem" is one for which you will find numerous posts in these forums!

Essentially, if you have the pre-facelift SR, to enable Tesla charging requires both a software and a hardware update! Owners have been quoted prices for this up to about £1000, depending on the dealer.

If you have a pre-facelift LR model only a software update is required, for which the dealer may, or may not charge. (It is not seen be MG as anything other than an "enhancement" and so MG will no longer pay the dealer for his time, apparently!) If you have a "friendly" dealer you may receive the update at no cost to you. I was very fortunate in being in this latter category; my dealer, from whom I had purchased a range of cars over something like 30 years but who was soon to close his business, did mine at no cost to me, though he did say he wasn't sure it would "work"; but it did and I have been able to successfully use the Tesla Open network at least three times recently.

If you own a Facelift model I believe that Tesla charging is no problem!

Thanks for your reply. It is a pre-face lift with I think a 52kWh battery 2021, I don’t think they did different ranges at the time just different trim levels.

From the very beginning I’ve had problems with the ‘hand shake’ connecting to most chargers. My home charger is a Tesla wall charger and I can’t just plug in. I have to plug in then reset the wall box then lock the car in order for it to start charging which is a pain but manageable. What is more concerning is when I pull up to a motorway charger with minimal charge left and it won’t take a charge. This isn’t limited to Tesla chargers but happens with Instavolt and others. The only reliable fast charger I have found to charge from are Gridserve.
Another couple of software issues are that nav has never worked and now car play fails to connect.

After 100k miles I’m more than happy with the build and drive it’s just these software issues letting it down, especially when I just get over the air updates with my Tesla!

 

[ADB]

Hi, is a LR?
What milage has it done and is it due a service as it could be done then for free

It’s a 52kWh battery didn’t have LR/SR when I got it. I don’t bother with servicing it just got brake fluid changed at 80k miles and a couple of recalls sorted. Every time I take it in they can never fix software issues because the server is down!

 

[Jomarkh]

Thanks for your reply. It is a pre-face lift with I think a 52kw battery 2021, I don’t think they did different ranges at the time just different trim levels.
From the very beginning I’ve had problems with the ‘hand shake’ connecting to most chargers. My home charger is a Tesla wall charger and I can’t just plug in. I have to plug in then reset the wall box then lock the car in order for it to start charging which is a pain but manageable. What is more concerning is when I pull up to a motorway charger with minimal charge left and it won’t take a charge. This isn’t limited to Tesla chargers but happens with instavolt and others. The only reliable fast charger I have found to charge from are gridserve.
Another couple of software issues are that nav has never worked and now car play fails to connect.
After 100k miles I’m more than happy with the build and drive it’s just these software issues letting it down, especially when I just get over the air updates with my Tesla!

It sounds like the same as mine. I need a part to use a Tesla Supercharger at about £1000.
I have had updates free with a service. I have never tried a Tesla Supercharger but it works fine on the Raipd chargers I have used.
Does your car work OK on a destination EVSE fast 7kW?

 

[kevin ellard]

If you own a Facelift model I believe that Tesla charging is no problem!

The FL still needs a software update but it seems a bit easier to convince the dealer to do it (especially if it at the same time as a service).

 

[Muffler]

Does anyone with the FL5 Trophy LR have MPU Software version *1300R17 installed on their vehicle (under dealer service and/or paid for)? If so, please can you confirm the related MCU Software version - something like 83.3.5.0 or later?

 

[johnny77]

Does anyone with the FL5 Trophy LR have MPU Software version *1300R17 installed on their vehicle (under dealer service and/or paid for)? If so, please can you confirm the related MCU Software version - something like 83.3.5.0 or later?

Just had my MG5 FL come back from its first annual service, has been upgraded the same MPU and MCU versions. Hopefully CarPlay will crash less frequently now.

 

[Muffler]

Accessed the engineering menu + think I've seen a copy of R17 amongst the MG4 download stuff, so may try to see if I can update myself. Only thing is not having a copy of the old software to revert to if it goes wrong

 

[nigotiator]

Does anyone with the FL5 Trophy LR have MPU Software version *1300R17 installed on their vehicle (under dealer service and/or paid for)? If so, please can you confirm the related MCU Software version - something like 83.3.5.0 or later?

I have following versions. Updated in service free of charge (Finland)
What is engineering menu?

 

[Muffler]

That's interesting! MCU doesn'tseem to have been updated alongside the MPU - version is still the same as mine running R12.

Engineering mode is how MG enable additional service functions including for USB software upload which is the only way to upgrade the infotainment system etc.

Access is via the phone key pad: [On the main interface, click the [BT phone] button, enter
the password #*#4479*#* to enter the engineering mode.]

 

[Muffler]

Ok, so successfilly managed FICM update today to R17 incl MCU to 83.3.5.0, alongside updating most of the modules via SIPS - albeit with a couple of squeaky bum moments! Still searching for a copy of the TBOX USB files though to do that and get a full house... Bath MG just simply ignored my messages complaining they'd not delivered as promised... Should be good to go with Tesla chargers as well now, fingers crossed!

 

[Muffler]

SUCCESS!!! Called into Earley (Wokingham) free to all Tesla site yesterday evening and everything worked as should. Only thing was that charge rate was a poor 35kW but it was stacked-out so was probably being restricted.

 

[johnny77]

How complicated is this to do? I’m reasonable on tech stuff and loathed to pay my MG dealer for the Tesla update…

 

[Muffler]

How complicated is this to do? I’m reasonable on tech stuff and loathed to pay my MG dealer for the Tesla update…

In simplified terms...

Doing your own updates requires a specific MG configured datalink/ODB II dongle connected to a Windows laptop (no macOS version) running a piece of MG software called SIPS. You then have to register a business user account with VAT number (this can literally be made up) on MG's RMI website and pay for access rights, which is generally in slots of 1 hr (c. £6) or 24 hrs (c. £16) - clock starts at time of purchase - this provides online database access for SIPS to check module software versions and download & install the latest available updates to the connected vehicle.

Infotainment updates also require a direct update via USB (not dissimilar to the maps update process) before completing the configuration with SIPS.
[NB: The USB files are sourced separately within MG and aren’t directly available from the RMI site.]

My learning curve for this has been from the excellent information some of the guys have put together on the MG4 forum, which gave me the confidence to apply updates on the 4 XPower and then have a go at our 5 Trophy LR.

Links for reading and general familiarisation are here:

Diagnostic VDI, VNCI, MDI with MG4

Trophy/Luxury 22/23 FICM loading guide

The 5 has some differences but the principles are the same. For infotainment I have the USB files required for R17 update but still have to check & confirm the corresponding TBOX update files that go alongside it. Have to confess, I've updated from R12 on the assumption that newer versions were developed to fix something/improve upon what went before - I've not encountered any communication that details revision changes R12-R15-R17, nor can confirm whether R17 is actually better, as the 5 is still a new car to me with only 460 miles on the clock (135 or so were getting home from the supplying dealer and further 100 miles trying/confirming Tesla charging)

Cost of the dongle was £121 delivered (from Hong Kong retailer - similar items can be found on AliExpress) and I've probably spent around £50 to date on RMI access. I balance this against having been able to do all updates (infotainment + all modules) on 2 cars. I also had a MG6, prior to going full-on EV, that I'm selling and been able to check & clear fault codes on etc). These are all items that dealers would have charged considerably for, so view it as a good investment.

Lastly, I must emphasise that doing the above does carry risks. Dealers are clearly reluctant to carry out updates off-the-bat because if something goes wrong, that isn't first directly sanctioned by MG UK, it becomes their problem (and cost) to resolve. MG UK will only generally sanction updates if the customer is deemed to have a legitimate/proven complaint that something isn't working how it should and causing a malfunction. A number of users (myself included) have reported certain modules refusing updates and appearing all-but-bricked; I've not heard of any that weren't ultimately resolved, but it can certainly take a lot of patience and time if an update doesn't go as planned.

You've been warned - however, if I've not managed to put you off, I'm happy to further share my experiences and help where I can.

 

[johnny77]

In simplified terms...

Doing your own updates requires a specific MG configured datalink/ODB II dongle connected to a Windows laptop (no macOS version) running a piece of MG software called SIPS. You then have to register a business user account with VAT number (this can literally be made up) on MG's RMI website and pay for access rights, which is generally in slots of 1 hr (c. £6) or 24 hrs (c. £16) - clock starts at time of purchase - this provides online database access for SIPS to check module software versions and download & install the latest available updates to the connected vehicle.

Infotainment updates also require a direct update via USB (not dissimilar to the maps update process) before completing the configuration with SIPS.
[NB: The USB files are sourced separately within MG and aren’t directly available from the RMI site.]

My learning curve for this has been from the excellent information some of the guys have put together on the MG4 forum, which gave me the confidence to apply updates on the 4 XPower and then have a go at our 5 Trophy LR.

Links for reading and general familiarisation are here:

Diagnostic VDI, VNCI, MDI with MG4

Trophy/Luxury 22/23 FICM loading guide

The 5 has some differences but the principles are the same. For infotainment I have the USB files required for R17 update but still have to check & confirm the corresponding TBOX update files that go alongside it. Have to confess, I've updated from R12 on the assumption that newer versions were developed to fix something/improve upon what went before - I've not encountered any communication that details revision changes R12-R15-R17, nor can confirm whether R17 is actually better, as the 5 is still a new car to me with only 460 miles on the clock (135 or so were getting home from the supplying dealer and further 100 miles trying/confirming Tesla charging)

Cost of the dongle was £121 delivered (from Hong Kong retailer - similar items can be found on AliExpress) and I've probably spent around £50 to date on RMI access. I balance this against having been able to do all updates (infotainment + all modules) on 2 cars. I also had a MG6, prior to going full-on EV, that I'm selling and been able to check & clear fault codes on etc). These are all items that dealers would have charged considerably for, so view it as a good investment.

Lastly, I must emphasise that doing the above does carry risks. Dealers are clearly reluctant to carry out updates off-the-bat because if something goes wrong, that isn't first directly sanctioned by MG UK, it becomes their problem (and cost) to resolve. MG UK will only generally sanction updates if the customer is deemed to have a legitimate/proven complaint that something isn't working how it should and causing a malfunction. A number of users (myself included) have reported certain modules refusing updates and appearing all-but-bricked; I've not heard of any that weren't ultimately resolved, but it can certainly take a lot of patience and time if an update doesn't go as planned.

You've been warned - however, if I've not managed to put you off, I'm happy to further share my experiences and help where I can.

Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed reply, it looks like it's quite an undertaking time and cost wise. My dealer upgraded me to r17 recently (seems now to only get an occasional infotainment crash rather than it being a daily one), so given they've discontinued the MG5 and are unlikely to release many more updates and have a general reluctance in running them, it might be less hassle and a lower cost just to bite the bullet and pay them to do the Tesla update.

 

[smokie]

Thanks for this, interesting.

Is the account tied to a particular car (I suspect not), if not is there anything to stop 2 or more MG5 owners (or even a mix of different MG owners) clubbing together for the hardware, account etc?

Once you've downloaded an update presumably that file would work on any car.

Mind you, as a former software techie I am loathe to just the latest update unless I have something they are going to address.

 

[Muffler]

Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed reply, it looks like it's quite an undertaking time and cost wise. My dealer upgraded me to r17 recently (seems now to only get an occasional infotainment crash rather than it being a daily one), so given they've discontinued the MG5 and are unlikely to release many more updates and have a general reluctance in running them, it might be less hassle and a lower cost just to bite the bullet and pay them to do the Tesla update.

It does seem very hit or miss with dealers. Some will apply the Tesla update under PDI and others alongside scheduled servicing, whilst the majority, if not all, charge regardless in the instance of it being done standalone.

I’d agree that if other stuff is already updated / works ok then the outlay to do it yourself is likely higher than paying a dealer just for the Tesla update.

 

[Muffler]

Is the account tied to a particular car (I suspect not), if not is there anything to stop 2 or more MG5 owners (or even a mix of different MG owners) clubbing together for the hardware, account etc?

Correct

Once you've downloaded an update presumably that file would work on any car.

Download(s) are within SIPS only, when it’s connected to the vehicle, as part of a live update procedure. These aren’t stored/accessible for multiple use across different vehicles.

Mind you, as a former software techie I am loathe to just the latest update unless I have something they are going to address

Agreed, it can be subjective. There’s been considerable issues with flaky software on the MG4 and hence more plentiful and frequent updates - makes doing it yourself vs having to engage with hapless dealers far more appealing…